2016 Community Report | Page 7

Success Ready! RUSD Introduces College & Career Readiness Indicators In an effort to make sure every RUSD high school graduate has the skills, knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in life, whether attending college or starting a job, RUSD has developed new College & Career Readiness Indicators. Going forward, every RUSD graduate must meet the following requirements: Complete District graduation requirements Participate in a Career Pathway course sequence Complete an academic and career plan To be college and/or career ready, graduates must also achieve college, career and life ready indicators some of which include: Maintaining a minimum GPA 2.8 out of 4.0 80 hours of community service or a service learning project Completion of a financial literacy curriculum or experience This fall, RUSD introduced another option for some of the District’s youngest students. The RUSD Montessori Program at Goodland Elementary School, is currently open to 3-and 4-year-olds and next year, will add 5-year-olds. Learn more at www.rusd.org RUSD’S NEW MONTESSORI PROGRAM FOR 3-, 4- & 5-YEAR OLDS “The major differences between traditional classrooms and Montessori classrooms are a lot more independent choice,” RUSD Montessori teacher Missy Becker said. “In any given time we could have students doing art while others are engaged in practical life skills like cleaning up the classroom.” Montessori education is designed to foster a child’s natural inclination to learn. Montessori teachers, like Becker, guide rather than instruct, linking each student with activities that meet their interests, needs and developmental level. “The Montessori classroom is designed to promote learning through hands-on, real life experiences. Children learn to care for the classroom and one another while learning practical life skills, literacy and math,” Amy Shepherd, Montessori Program Director said. The RUSD Montessori Program is open to all District families. Students are selected through a lottery. For more information about the Montessori Program and enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year please visit www.rusd.org/montessori.